Twelve Great Albums For Fall

Thermometers may be dropping but these fall albums are hot!

By Diane Anderson-Minshall

Published: 2010.10.12 04:35 PM

Photo: Jeffrey Chen

Megan McCormick, Honest Words (Ryko): There is no hotter queer female musician on the planet right now than Megan McCormick. She’s got roots similar to Sara Palin (born in Idaho, raised in Wasilla, Alaska), but they couldn’t be farther apart. The Nashville-based McCormick’s debut single is raw, heavy, gorgeous rock 'n' roll. And she’s even hotter on stage with her cute ties and pompadour hair.

Candace Roberts, Honeymoon for One (self-released): This cabaret meets girl-group meets jazz disc from San Francisco-based Candace Roberts offers a quirky, varied collection of songs with something for everyone. Among the top tracks: the beatalicious “Layover Man” and haunting “Be Still.”

Lilith 2010 (Arista): The best of the new fest, including tracks from Ke$ha, Kelly Clarkson, Tegan and Sara, Corinne Bailey Rae and more. A must-own.

Cyndi Lauper, Memphis Blues (Downtown): An all around beautiful album wth appearances by Jonny Lang, B.B. King and others.

Kaylah Marin, Loving Life (Epiphany): Marin spans neo-soul, old school R&B and modern urban AC., but her song, “Oh baby please”—which is hauntingly melodic and filled with funky percussions—defies definition. She also wrote all her own songs on this must-listen disc.

Frobeck, Balancing the Sun (self-produced): Think easy listening rock, like Michael McDonald but better and with big Bay Area lesbo following. Be sure to check out two greats, “Free Mind” and “Complicated.”

Christine Havrilla, Velocity (Boxrilla): Great voice, incredible performer, quite easily heading to take over Melissa Etheridge’s crown. You’ll love “Letting Go” and “Blinders,” but there isn’t a disapointing song on the album.

The Newloud, Measures Melt (self-released): This is the Pixies meets the Cure meets pure awesomeness. This mixed gender band has an out of the box hit with “Secrets” but “Every Girl I See” is my fave.

Indigo Girls, Holly Happy Days (Vanguard): Yes, the Indigo Girls are releasing their first holiday record, which comes packaged in holiday wrapping with three surprise ornaments inside. Chely Wright makes an appearance on one track, but the best cut has to be Woody Guthrie’s “Happy Joyous Hanukkah,” with Janis Ian and Mary Gautier on backing vocals. It’s a lesbian holiday miracle.

Shelby Lynne, Merry Christmas (Everso): It’s down-home holiday standards and two new original Christmas songs from the country fave.